Synthetic vs herbal drugs

These are my thoughts. Modern drugs are wonderful and absolutely life saving, however I feel like the synthetic drug market has blown up into a big bad business. There is a pill for everything with numerous side effects and not a lot of long term effect studies done. I feel like the average person especially older are probably taking too many rx drugs and a lot of them are contraindicated for one another. 

Herbal drugs are beneficial (*please I do not want to start a marijuana debate here*).

I just feel like they have a lot of potential that is unregulated and uncontrolled. 100 years ago you were prescribed teas and herbs to treat things. Obviously we have come a long ways since then but why don't doctors and other health care professionals start with life style changes, then potential less harmful herbal supplements before jumping to a pill? I have an interest in using more herbal remedies but know they also can have dangerous side effects and interactions so I don't want to start diving too deep. 

What are your thoughts? Any healthcare professionals on here-pharmacists?  I am an RN and again realize how necessary and life saving  synthetic drugs are. Just want some thoughts.